Transcript Understandings of Nation & Nationalism

Social 20-1
Alex Colville: Church & Horse, 1964
Dale Auger: As though they were one, 2005
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Perspectives about what it means to belong
to a nation, as well as our understandings of
nation, have:
 Evolved over time
 Continue to evolve
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Unit 1 will explore a people’s relationship to
the land and cultural and linguistic
understandings of Nationalism.
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Alwyn Morris, a Kahnawake
Mohawk, held up and eagle
feather while receiving his
medal at the 1984 Olympic
games. Of that moment
Morris said:
I raised the feather to share
that experience and identify
the fact that I was a Mohawk
person, and I was very proud
of that aspect; of being able to
share that experience of being
an Aboriginal person, share
the aspect of my grandfather
and honour that I wanted to
bestow on him. And certainly
from Canada’s perspective I
was representing the country.
Alwyn Morris: Gold 1000 m Kayak, 1984
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If you were to hold up a symbol or make a
gesture during an awards ceremony, what
would it be?
Draw a picture of the symbol or describe the
gesture, and write a short explanation of why
it is meaningful to you.
◦ Share your response with others in the class
◦ What symbols and gestures did other students
share?
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We each have our own answers to this
question.
We most likely define it as it relates to the
people or citizens of a country.
◦ Although this is true, there are many other
definitions as well.
 A group of people who feel connections to one another in
some way. ~ a body of people that feel that they are a
nation.
 Often intangible
◦ Therefore, nation can be viewed as something
found in the feelings and minds of people, an
internal connection to others.
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One way to explore the main understandings
of nation is by looking at what creates
connections between individual members of a
nation; for example, their shared experiences
related to
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Ethnic background and ancestry
Cultural values and beliefs
History
Language(s) and communication
Religious or spiritual beliefs
Geography
Politics and citizenship
Ethnicity
Relationship to
the Land
Politics &
Citizenship
Cultural Values
/ Beliefs
What is
a
Nation?
Geography
History
Language(s)
Religious /
Spiritual Beliefs
Summarize how the following four
people describe the term “Nation”:
•
•
•
•
Ernest Renan
Antonine Maillet
N.S. Rajaram
Douglas Coupland
In addition, answer the questions
that follow each quotation
The Ottawa River in the fall
Geography is a key component of how many Canadians identify themselves as a
nation
The Alberta Sky
Geography is a key component of how many Canadians identify themselves as a
nation
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What is the difference?
◦ Nation relates to the feelings and minds of people
(internalization), …
◦ The concept of nation-state, is more concrete,
external concept.
◦ A Nation-State is a territory with internationally
recognized boundaries and a politically organized
body of people under a sovereign government
 You are considered sovereign when recognized by
other states as having the right to govern themselves
independently.
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Nations-states may or may not depend on
people’s linguistic, ethnic or cultural
connections. Citizens of a nation-state live in a
politically defined territory that operates with
common legal and moral beliefs. For example,
Canada
 A belief in democratic government
 The protection of rights and freedoms described in the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
 A belief in the principles of a mixed economy
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Belonging to a nation-state can provide a sense
of security as those who belong to the nationstate must abide by a common set of laws.
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Is a way of expressing one’s sense of
belonging to a nation or a nation state.
◦ It can take many forms:
 Patriotism: expressing love for one’s country
 Ultra-nationalism
 Supra-nationalism
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How have you expressed patriotism for your
country?
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Nation
Nation-State
Sovereign
Nationalism
Patriotism
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Know the eight
ways in which
people identify
themselves as a
nation